Former Hagerstown mayor joins Suns front office

Former Hagerstown Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II, who led the effort for a new Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League) downtown ballpark, has joined the team’s front office as Director of Sales, Marketing and Community Affairs.

Bruchey’s background is in sales, so the hiring isn’t a huge stretch. And given that some people in the area see the Suns front office as being a little disconnected from the community, Bruchey’s hiring bring a very recognizable face to the team. Bruckey served as Hagerstown mayor from 1997 through 2001 and again in 2006 through 2012, when he was defeated for reelection.

Bruchey will not be working directly on new-ballpark efforts; that task still falls to team ownership. The topic is sure to come up again in coming weeks; there’s still a core of the City Council who wants a new ballpark, and with the emergence of a potential development partner, the project is far from dead.

The ballpark discussions in Hagerstown have been contentious at times, and there are surely some who see the hiring of Bruchey as a reward for pushing for a downtown ballpark. He told the newspaper there was no quid pro quo:

“As far as anybody’s preconceived notions of this is as any way, shape or form to have to do with … the fact that I brought forth the project, is laughable actually,” he said. “It’s a job and one that I look forward to.”

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